The Basics
The YMCA of Long Island was founded in 1919. Today, with multiple branches scattered throughout Long Island, New York, it operates its Family Services division in the hamlet of Holtsville. The YMCA of Long Island Family Services offers outpatient services to men, women and families struggling with the stress of addiction and substance abuse. All programming is authorized by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
Treatment and Staff
The intake process at YMCA begins with an in-person meeting with one of the organization’s intake coordinators. During this meeting, release forms are signed and the program coordinator goes over some basic information with the prospective client. If he or she decides to move forward with the recommended treatment, they then undergo a medical screening followed by an actual intake with a counselor.
During the intake meeting, the counselor reviews the individual’s substance abuse history then designs a treatment plan, which is roughly the same for everyone. The YMCA operates on a sliding scale to accommodate people of all economic backgrounds. Men and women who are in need of more comprehensive care are referred to outside residential treatment or detox facilities.
Treatment consists of both group and individual therapy. Although the duration and intensity of the program is based on the counselor’s assessment of the client’s needs, individuals are generally assigned an average of two group sessions per week. The groups usually consist of ten to 15 clients. Counselors use a variety of evidence-based treatment techniques including CBT and offer groups that give clients the opportunity to share, to discuss relapse prevention techniques and general substance abuse education. Life skills, and stress and anger management are also implemented. Additionally, the organization has gender-specific groups for women. One-on-one sessions are scheduled independently between clients and their counselors.
The YMCA’s program is technically not 12-step based, but counselors do strongly encourage clients attend outside AA and NA meetings and find a sponsor while in the program.
YMCA does not provide specific dual diagnosis support, but does have a psychiatrist on staff who helps assess and provides referrals for clients with potential co-occurring disorders.
The organization’s counselors are a mixture of LMSWs and CASACs.
Extras
YMCA offers a family program comprised of individual family sessions and a group education meeting. The individual sessions are with the client, counselor and their family members but clients must initially request these meetings before they can be scheduled. There is also a group for parents and significant others that provides them with information and education on substance abuse treatment.
The organization also operates DWI and some court ordered programs.
In Summary
YMCA of Long Island Family Services offers affordable and flexible outpatient treatment that allows those in need of professional help for substance abuse to receive it while still maintaining their work, family and life schedules. As would be expected with the YMCA—a well respected, community-oriented institution—the family group meetings that involve loved ones of addicts in the treatment process provide a great deal of education and information in an intimate setting. Also, the sliding scale allows any client who is willing to receive treatment.
YMCA of Long Island Family Services
1150 Portion Rd, Ste 6
Holtsville, NY 11742
YMCA of Long Island Family Services Cost: Sliding Scale. Reach YMCA of Long Island Family Services by phone at (585) 723-7736 or by email. Find YMCA of Long Island Family Services on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
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Photo courtesy of By Intelligentlove (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped)
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